Andrew Coster Set to Resign Following Police Misconduct Report

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster is anticipated to resign from his position as chief executive of the Social Investment Agency shortly, following a critical report regarding police misconduct. The impending announcement comes in the wake of a damning investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), which detailed serious failures in the police’s handling of allegations against former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.

Coster was placed on leave last month after the release of the IPCA report, which revealed significant misconduct at senior levels of the police force. Sources indicate that Coster’s resignation is imminent, though an official announcement has yet to be made.

The IPCA’s comprehensive 135-page report highlighted how police leadership, including Coster, responded inadequately to allegations of sexual offending by McSkimming. The allegations stemmed from an affair between McSkimming and a non-sworn police employee. The report pointed out that when police eventually referred the woman’s claims to the authority, several months after they were first raised, attempts were made by senior officers to sway the investigation.

In a related development, Chris de Wattignar, formerly a senior police officer, has also resigned from his role at the Civil Aviation Authority. De Wattignar was mentioned in the IPCA report alongside Coster, indicating a widespread issue within police leadership.

Public Service Minister Judith Collins stated that the findings of the IPCA report reflect a “massive” failure of leadership. She emphasized that while the situation has become an employment matter, the contents of the report speak volumes. Collins remarked, “If this was me being named in this report, I would be ashamed of myself.” She further expressed that any attempts by leadership to influence the investigation were “very serious” and should not be tolerated.

When asked if the actions amounted to corruption, Collins responded, “If it walks like a duck, and it quacks like a duck, it’s not looking good, is it?” Although the report did not explicitly label the actions as corrupt, Collins described the situation as “extraordinary” and insisted it must not recur.

Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis expressed her shock at the findings of the IPCA, stating she had conveyed her concerns to Commissioner Brian Roche, who oversees Coster’s employment. Police Minister Mark Mitchell noted that Coster was aware of the issues surrounding McSkimming as early as November 6, 2024, and emphasized that accountability is crucial for police leadership.

Chris Hipkins, the leader of the opposition, voiced his disappointment in police leadership, stating that the evidence confirms a failure to hold McSkimming accountable for his actions. Hipkins, who appointed McSkimming as deputy commissioner during his time as prime minister, highlighted that none of these issues were raised during the vetting process for the role.

The fallout from the IPCA report has raised significant concerns about the integrity and accountability of police leadership. The expected resignation of Coster marks a pivotal moment as the police force grapples with the implications of the report and the urgent need for reform.